Mayo Clinic refused employee's COVID-19 vaccine exemption request, lawsuit says
Mayo implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy around Oct. 13, 2021, which required all of its employees to receive the vaccine by Dec. 3, 2021, unless they received a medical or religious exemption, according to the court document. Anyone who didn't follow the policy would be terminated.
On Nov. 1, 2021, the security guard, who was not named in the lawsuit, submitted an accommodation form to the clinic requesting that he be exempt from the policy, stating "his religious observance or practice conflicted with the COVID-19 vaccine," the complaint said.
According to the lawsuit, the form stated he is a member of an Assemblies of God Church, which believes the vaccine contained ingredients that "were inconsistent with his religious belief," and he could not "put those ingredients in his body."
The employee also believed that if he were to die from the vaccine, it would be considered suicide and undermine God's faith. The security guard said he would be willing to wear a mask and take COVID-19 tests if he were granted an exemption to the policy.
On Nov. 21, 2021, Mayo denied the request, stating the employee didn't meet the criteria for a religious exemption, the lawsuit said. The security guard submitted a reconsideration request the next day. Mayo denied the reconsideration request on Dec. 1 and said he must get the vaccine or else he would be fired.
The clinic issued a final written warning to the security guard on Dec. 3, saying he would be terminated if he did not receive the vaccine by January 2022.
The EEOC alleges Mayo violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits companies from discriminating against employees based on religion. The federal agency is seeking monetary damages, though it's unclear how much.
According to the lawsuit, the EEOC is also asking Mayo to implement policies and programs that "provide equal employment opportunities for religious persons."
A spokesperson for Mayo Clinic said the company would not comment "due to pending litigation."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNET
41 minutes ago
- CNET
Grinding Your Teeth While Sleeping? Here's How to Stop Naturally
If you're dealing with jaw, tooth, ear or head pain, especially in the morning, you may have sleep bruxism, which means you're grinding or clenching your teeth when you sleep. If you have a mild case, you can try to treat it and soothe your symptoms at home. If you have a more severe case or it doesn't improve, make sure you see your dentist or doctor for treatment. Why do I grind my teeth when I sleep? Before we explain how to stop grinding your teeth, let's take a step back and look at what causes this condition in the first place. There are several risk factors for sleep bruxism, including: Anxiety and stress Taking certain medications, including some antidepressants Having an aggressive, competitive or tense tendency or personality Unhealthy lifestyle habits, like drinking alcohol, smoking and consuming too much caffeine People who grind their teeth during sleep are more likely to have other sleep disorders as well, such as snoring or sleep apnea, according to the Mayo Clinic. In some cases, grinding your teeth at night can cause damaged or loose teeth, headaches and jaw or facial pain. Fortunately, though, there are a few natural ways to reduce bruxism and enjoy more restful sleep without taking medication or undergoing surgery. 6 ways to stop grinding your teeth naturallyIf you're concerned about the potential impacts of bruxism, there are natural solutions you can try if you have a mild case. Below, we've pulled together half a dozen home remedies for teeth grinding, so you can sleep peacefully and wake up without pain. 1. Perform mouth and jaw exercises By performing mouth and jaw exercises, you can relax your jaw, keep the muscles flexible and potentially prevent or ease the pain from teeth grinding. Sample exercise: Close your lips (without letting your top and bottom teeth touch) Put your tongue on the roof of your mouth, but don't let it touch your teeth Stay in this position for several minutes while taking slow breaths Repeat a few times per day You can also massage your jaw muscles to ease tension around your mouth. To try it, use your fingers to press gently against each side of your jaw, moving in small circles along the side of your face. 2. Limit caffeine Drinking caffeinated beverages, including coffee and black tea, can worsen sleep bruxism. If you consume these types of drinks regularly, cutting caffeine out of your diet may help you stop grinding your teeth at night. If going cold turkey is too difficult, you can try decaffeinated versions of your favorite products. For example, you might swap your daily espresso for a decaf cup of joe. Or, if you're a tea drinker, you could switch from green tea to non-caffeinated herbal tea, which has the added benefit of promoting sleep and relaxation. Caffeine, alcohol and tobacco are also associated with nighttime teeth grinding. If you have sleep bruxism, you'll want to limit your consumption of these substances as well. 3. Apply warm compresses By relaxing your jaw muscles at night, you may be able to prevent your teeth from grinding and clenching while you sleep. To do this, apply a warm washcloth to the side of your face (in front of your earlobe) before bedtime. 4. Manage stress Stress is another risk factor for bruxism, so if you can find new, healthy ways to cope with your daily stressors, you may be able to prevent nighttime teeth grinding as well. Here are a few stress-relieving tactics to incorporate into your routine: Get aerobic exercise at least twice per week Practice self-care and positive self-talk Try yoga and breathing exercises Build meaningful relationships Set realistic goals for yourself 5. Avoid gum and hard foods If you grind your teeth at night, it's best to avoid chewing gum because it can strain your jaw muscles and encourage clenching or grinding. It can also worsen the pain or discomfort caused by bruxism. Similarly, try not to eat hard, dense or chewy foods since they can promote jaw clenching and lead to more pain. 6. Consider magnesium supplements While more studies are needed, some research suggests that there could be a link between magnesium deficiency and bruxism. Why? Magnesium plays a role in many different bodily functions, including muscle contraction and relaxation. When you don't have enough magnesium in your body, you could end up with tension in your jaw muscles and, in turn, nighttime teeth grinding and clenching. In that case, upping your magnesium intake may help. One of the easiest ways to do that is by taking magnesium supplements, which can help relax your muscles, alleviate stress and promote better sleep, all of which may ease bruxism. Bottom line: Want to stop grinding your teeth at night? ChristineIf you have mild bruxism or only grind your teeth occasionally, these natural approaches could help alleviate some symptoms. But if your condition is more severe or you're regularly in pain when you wake up, it's better to consult a doctor, especially if you think you might have sleep apnea in addition to bruxism. During your visit, your doctor will help identify the reasons for your teeth grinding and create a treatment plan that addresses these causes. Your dentist should also look for signs of teeth grinding during your regular exams, but if you're concerned, you can always bring it up at your appointment. They may recommend you get fitted for a night guard, which protects the teeth and acts as a barrier to prevent pressure and damage from teeth grinding at night.
Medscape
41 minutes ago
- Medscape
Meta-Analysis Finds Biologic Switches Effective in Psoriasis
TOPLINE: Interclass biologic switching is effective and safe in patients with psoriasis, though switching from an anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-alpha to an anti-interleukin (IL)-17A treatment was associated with higher risk for adverse events (AEs), according to a meta-analysis. METHODOLOGY: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of switching treatments after an initial biologic treatment fails, researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 24 randomized clinical trials published through January 25, 2025, which included 12,661 adults with psoriasis who switched from one biologic agent to another within the same class or in a different class. Eight switching categories were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 score, and secondary endpoints included safety. TAKEAWAY: PASI 90 improved significantly in patients after interclass biologic switching both at week 4 (11 studies; odds ratio [OR], 6.53; 95% CI, 2.58-16.51) and long term (OR, 28.61; 95% CI, 12.89-63.47). All switches were effective in the short term, whereas most switches achieved a PASI 90 response in the long term, except for switches from anti-IL-17A agents to anti-IL-17A/F agents. Long-term, marked improvements were observed when switching from anti-TNF-alpha agents to anti-IL-23p19 agents (OR, 23.72; 95% CI, 4.29-130.98) and from anti-IL-12/23p40 agents to anti-IL-23p19 agents (OR, 19.87; 95% CI, 10.40-37.94). No major safety differences were observed overall, except for increased serious adverse events (AEs) when switching from an anti-TNF-alpha agent to an anti-IL-17A agent (OR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.25-4.83). Switching from anti-TNF-alpha agents to anti-IL-23p19, anti-IL-17A, or anti-IL-12/23p40 agents was associated with infection rates of 0.62%, 0.54%, and 0.39%, respectively. The highest risk for Candida infection (0.16%) was observed when switching from anti-TNF-alpha agents to anti-IL-17A/F agents. Switching to a different biologic class showed comparable effectiveness and safety with continuing the same agent, with regards to AEs. IN PRACTICE: This systematic review and meta-analysis found that 'interclass biologic switching was effective, and there were no safety differences for most patients,' the study authors wrote. 'Switching to anti-IL-23p19, anti-IL-17A, or anti-IL-12/23p40 agents from anti-TNF-alpha agents posed the greatest risk of infection,' they added, recommending 'vigilance for infections while switching to different biologics.' SOURCE: The study was led by Miao Zhang, MD, Department of Dermatology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China, and was published online on August 6 in JAMA Dermatology. LIMITATIONS: Limitations included heterogeneity in study designs, potential differences between biologics and batch variability which could have affected effectiveness comparisons after switching, insufficient data for several comparisons. DISCLOSURES: The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Key Discipline Construction Project of Shanghai's 3-Year Action Plan for Strengthening the Construction of Public Health System, Shanghai Oriental Talent Program for Top-notch Project, CACMS Innovation Fund, Shanghai Healthy Special Project, The Shanghai 2022 Science and Technology Innovation Action Plan Medical Innovation Research Special Project, the Clinical Research Plan of Shanghai Shenkang Hospital Development Center, the High-level Chinese Medicine Key Discipline Construction Project, Evidence-based dermatology base sponsored by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Shanghai Hospital Development Center Foundation. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
Medscape
41 minutes ago
- Medscape
As Copay Aid Recedes, Retina Treatment ‘Unsustainable'
A funding shortfall for a key copay assistance program to help make eye injections more affordable for low-income patients has caused widespread disruption in treatment, researchers have found. Good Days is a nonprofit charitable organization set up to help people on Medicare who have retinal disease and other chronic conditions cover copays for treatments, such as intravitreal injections to treat age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema, diabetic retinopathy, and geographic atrophy. Retina practices have reported the program, which receives financial support from Regeneron, stopped accepting new enrollees in 2025. According to the group's 2024 financial statements, Good Days — an arm of the Chronic Disease Fund, Inc. — provided funding to more than 422,000 patients that year and reported more than $480 million in contributions and grants. The new analysis, of more than 280,000 treated eyes in a national database of electronic health records, found people in low-income zip codes have been disproportionately affected by the loss of assistance. Ghassan Ghorayeb, MD, MBA 'There is clear evidence that the loss of copay assistance triggered widespread disruptions in evidence-based care,' Ghassan Ghorayeb, MD, MBA, a vitreoretinal specialist at West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia, told Medscape Medical News . Ghorayeb presented the findings at the 2025 meeting of the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) 2025 Annual Meeting in Long Beach, California. Ghorayeb said he and colleague Philip Niles, MD, MBA, undertook the two-part study — a survey of ASRS members paired with an analysis of real-world data — after 'the abrupt underfunding' of the Good Days program in late 2024. Most Vulnerable, Most Harm The analysis used electronic health record data from 340 retina specialists in 68 US practices collected from January 2024 to June 2025. The study included 146,551 eyes treated for AMD, 113,375 treated for diabetic macular edema, and 95,925 treated for geographic atrophy. The analysis calculated the effect of the funding shortfall on people who had switched out of more costly branded treatments to off-label bevacizumab (Avastin), which can cost between $50 and $80 per injection before copays. Bevacizumab is a cancer drug compounding pharmacies repackage for off-label ocular administration. Medicare and Medicaid cover the off-label use for retinal disease. According to a schedule posted by Retina Specialty Institute, a retina practice in three Southeastern states, out-of-pocket costs for branded intravitreal injections can range from $88 and $137 for ranibizumab 0.3 and 0.5 mg to $558 for a ranibizumab biosimilar and $537 for aflibercept 8 mg. 'We saw significant increases in off-label Avastin switching, sample reliance, and treatment discontinuation,' Ghorayeb told Medscape Medical News . 'These shifts were not benign: real-world data and physician surveys both linked them to higher rates of visual decline, particularly in economically disadvantaged zip codes. The most vulnerable patients experienced the most harm.' The analysis found switching from branded drugs to lower-cost bevacizumab has increased 45.6% for AMD and 37% for diabetic macular edema from 2024 to 2025, Ghorayeb reported. That translated into an increase in vision loss of 26% for the former patients and 19% for the latter. Clinicians in the study also relied more on using samples of medicines that were previously reimbursed, with a 44% increase for AMD injections, 8.3% for diabetic macular edema, and 203% for geographic atrophy, Ghorayeb said. While injections for geographic atrophy increased by 40% from 2023 to 2024 as new agents won FDA approval, injections for the indication have declined by 1% so far in 2025, he said. The study also tracked what Ghorayeb described as 'unsustainable' practices in clinics, when patients receive multiple samples of the same drug in a single eye or were switched to off-label bevacizumab despite declining vision with the drug. 'We found a sharp increase in unsustainable care patterns across the board, more than 30% in diabetic macular edema and hovering around 60% in wet AMD and geographic atrophy,' he told attendees at the meeting. Vision decline after switching from on-label therapies to bevacizumab were 44% more common in lower-income zip codes, Ghorayeb said. 'Not Marginal Effects' 'These are not marginal effects,' Ghorayeb told Medscape Medical News. 'They reflect real harm attributable to affordability-driven treatment changes.' Programs such as Good Days are 'fundamental to equitable care delivery,' he said. 'Even patients with Medicare or Medicare Advantage were unable to maintain their treatment regimens without supplemental support. Loss of assistance led to downgraded therapy, missed injections, and vision loss. We believe that maintaining copay support is a clinical and economic imperative.' Looming Medicaid cuts and reductions in Medicare reimbursements 'could tip the balance from unsustainable to untenable,' Ghorayeb said. 'Without systemic support, we risk abandoning our most vulnerable patients and undermining the gains made in treating retinal disease over the past two decades.' The study underscores a broader truth, he added: 'When the cost of care becomes a barrier, outcomes suffer.' Michael Lai, MD, PhD 'The study findings show that the economics of intravitreal injections are extremely fragile and tightly tethered to copay assistance programs,' Michael Lai, MD, PhD, a retina specialist at the Retinal Group of Washington, DC, told Medscape Medical News. 'A significant number of Medicare and Medicare Advantage patients depend on supplemental financial support to obtain necessary vision-saving retinal therapies.' The study demonstrated that disparities of care in lower-income communities 'are even greater than we had assumed,' Lai said. 'The underfunding of Good Days caught many patients and retina specialists off guard,' he added. 'All of the coping mechanisms we have resorted to so far, including switching to repackaged Avastin, using free samples and skipping or postponing injections, are unsustainable.' 'I sincerely hope that the information and data from this presentation will motivate all relevant stakeholders including industry partners, policymakers, and our societies to come together to find a solution to help our patients.' Ghorayeb had no relevant disclosures. Lai had served as a consultant to Apellis Pharmaceuticals.
